Rabiot: ‘I don’t know how Modric can run like that at age 40’ | OneFootball

Adrien Rabiot admits he is shocked by Milan teammate Luka Modric after their victory over Napoli. ‘I don’t know how he can run like that for 90 minutes at age 40.’

They were a goal up within three minutes after Christian Pulisic ran from his own half to lay it off for Alexis Saelemaekers, then the USMNT star scored the second too.

The match changed when Pervis Estupinan saw red for hauling back Giovanni Di Lorenzo, allowing Kevin De Bruyne to convert the resulting penalty, but David Neres saw the best chance of a Napoli equaliser clip the woodwork in stoppages.

It is perhaps no coincidence that Milan have turned a corner since Rabiot arrived from Olympique Marseille on transfer deadline day.

Rabiot sensed Milan turnaround

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan is pursued by Mohamed Kaba Drame of US Lecce during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

“It’s true that I already knew the coach and his staff, their working methods, so it was easier for me to settle in,” Rabiot told DAZN Italia.

“I also already know a lot of my teammates. I arrived with humility, working every day to set the example and inspire this team. They are right with me, I am pleased that since I’ve been here, we won four games, conceding only one goal.

“There is a strong team spirit, we play with a positive state of mind. It was tough today, but with our spirit and mentality, we took the result home. I’m happy.”

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Luka Modric of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Rabiot is forming a remarkable midfield partnership with Modric, who at the age of 40 is having a strong impact in his first Serie A season.

“Playing with Luka is easy, because he knows how to control the tempo, although I frankly don’t know how he can run like that for 90 minutes at age 40,” confessed the France international.

“He loves to play football and enjoys himself on the field, he loves to defend, attack, everything. This team has a lot of quality and we all enjoy defending too, as it was not easy down to 10 men, but we showed what we’re capable of.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Milan 2-1 Napoli

Rabiot is back in Serie A after just one year in Marseille, but next week returns to face his former teammates at the Allianz Juventus Stadium.

“I am genuinely pleased to be back at the Stadium, especially as Milan are currently top of the table. I hope to win, obviously, but in general I’m just really happy to be back in Serie A. I spent five years at Juventus, so it will be emotional for me, but now I am at Milan and hope that Milan win.”